Centrifugal machine for drying parachutes



Sept. 10, 1957 E. KIEFER ETAL 2,805,492

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE FOR DRYING PARACHUTES Filed June 19, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fig. I

INV IITDKI IAIN-HELP? Sept. 10, 1957 E. KIEFER EI'AL 2,805,492

CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE FOR DRYING PARACHUTES filed June 19, 1955 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ERIQH KIEFER MD WILHEl-m HE 2,895,492 Patented Sept. 16, 1957 sees p2 cnnrnmnoar. Macrame non BRYiNG ranacnu'rn Erich I and Wiiheim Hail, Gartringen, Wurttemberg, Germany; Heir assignor to said fiefer Appiication June 39, M53, No. 362,766

Ciaims priority, appiieatien Germany May 6, 1953 15 Claims. (Cl. 3453} The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for drying parachutes.

It is the primary object of this invention to devise a novel method of drying parachutes after they have been cleaned or laundered more quickly and effectively than by the previously known methods by restorting to the use of centrifugal force, and to devise a suitable apparatus to carry out such method.

It is another object of the invention to devise a centrifugal machine for suspending a parachute in an upright position and for expelling the moisture therefrom.

A feature of the invention is to suspend a centrifugal drum at its upper end within a suitable framework or tower, and to provide suitable means at the lower end thereof for supporting the harness, suspension cords, and the like of the parachute to prevent them from damaging the parachute while spinning.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a fan or blower to cooperate with the centrifugal action of the novel machine to increase the drying efiect thereof and to obviate any subsequent drying of the parachute in another machine.

Another feature of the invention is to cover the perforated centrifugal drum with a fine lacework, preferably of copper, to prevent the thin fabric of the parachute from being forced into the perforations of the spinning drum and from being damaged thereby. A supplementary feature consists in reducing the costs of manufacturing the drum by thus providing it with a permeable coating which saves the expensive job of burring the many individual perforations in the drum.

Another feature of the invention resides in a suitable driving mechanism for the centrifugal drum, acting either directly upon the drum by means of an electric motor mounted on the vertical shaft of the drum or by means of one or more V-belts transmitting the drivingpower from an adjacent motor to the pulley of the drum shaft. A supplementary feature of the invention also consists in designing such pulley in the shape of a bell encompassing the self-aligning bearing of the drum shaft.

For hoisting up the parachute, the invention further provides a motor or hand driven winch arranged either above the main driving motor of the machine or above the bearing of the drum shaft. The hoisting cable connecting the drum with the winch is secured against twisting or turning by a special bearing structure and passes through the motor or drum shaft to 'a parachute suspension mechanism inside the drum.

The invention further provides for a safety appliance which permits the centrifugal drum to 'be operated only after the parachute suspension mechanism has been hoisted and centered inside the drum.

For facilitating the mounting of the parachute on the suspension mechanism, the invention further provides within the supporting framework and below the cen trifugal drum for a suitable work table overwhich the parachute be placed or inverted. It may, for example, consist of a tubular frame which may be covered with a sheet of metal and has a catch basin or trough arranged below its upper surface into which the sides of the parachute as well as the harness, suspension cords, and the like may be placed before the parachute is hoisted upwardly and into the drum.

The novel centrifugal drying machine'may also be provided with an electric push button control mechanism, an automatic timing mechanism, light signals, and an automatic brake mechanism.

Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in view:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the centrifugal drying machine according to the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but slightly enlarged and parts thereof being shown in cross section to illustrate the details of the centrifugal drum, its driving mechanism, the bearing arrangement, and the parachute suspension mechanism.

As shown in Fig. 1, the supporting framework of the centrifugal drying machine 1 primarily consists of vertical girders 2 which are interconnected by horizontal beams 3 and diagonal struts 4 to form a solid rectangular tower mounted on the ground. Guy ropes or cables 5 are anchored to the ground so as to increase the solidity of the structure. 7

The framework thus formed is covered on the inside with sheets of metal or other suitable material to form walls 6. Doors 7 permit access to the inside of the tower in which a ladder 8 leads to a platform 9 from which the self-aligning bearing 11, the motor 14 which is mounted on a projecting beam 13, and the motor driven winch 16 mounted on a frame 15 can be operated and serviced.

Suspended from the bearing 11 within the framework is the centrifugal drum 17 which is preferably composed of four sections 48, 4?, 5i and 51 and the lower end of which is provided with an inwardly directed troughlike portion 18 for supporting the parachute harness, suspension cords, and the like. The cable 19 of the winch 16 passes through the hollow drum shaft 29 to the inside of the drum and is secured to a mechanism 21 for suspending a parachute. At the bottom of the tower below the opening of the drum 17 is a work table 2.2 which may, for example, consist of a tubular frame 'covered with sheet metal or other suitable material. It is used for inverting the parachute thereon preparatory to mounting it on the suspension mechanism 21 and carries a trough 23 for supporting the sides of the parachute and the harness, suspension cords and the like during such mounting. A suitable brake mechanism for stopping the rotation of the drum 17 may also be provided. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, such brake may, for example, consist of a control mechanism 24 connected to a brake band 25 placed around the lower end 25 of the drive pulley 12.

According to Fig. 2, the housing of the bearing 11 is secured to the beams 10 by means of bolts 27. On the inner wall 28 of the housing 11 are elastic packing rings 29 and 39 of suitable material, for example, rubber, and spaced apart by a sleeve 31. The lower packing ring 29 is held in place in downward direction by a collar 32.

The self-aligning bearing further consists of an intermediate sleeve which may be channeled as indicated in Fig. 2 to form a conduit for lubricant, and has at its upper end a projecting collar 33 resting on the upper packing ring 39 and securing the entire packing assembly 2% 3t}, and 31. On its inner wall, sleeve 34 carries the upper and lower anti-friction bearings 35 and 35', for example, roller bearings, and a thrust hearing 36,'which may be, for example, a ball hearing. The

v to rotate therein.

bearings 35, and 36 are secured in placed by suitable projections 37 and 38 of the intermediate sleeve 34, an intermediate ring 39, and a spacing sleeve 40 between bearings 35 and 36, and support the'drum shaft 29 so as The hollow bell-shaped drive pulley 12 which is shaped like a bell encompasses the entire bearing structure and is keyed above the bearing 35 to the drum shaft 20 and secured thereto by a nut 41. V- shaped peripheral grooves 42 in the pulley 12 admit the V-belts 43 which are connected to the motor 14 for driving the drum. As previously stated, the extension 25 of the pulley 12 below the grooves 42 may be used as a brake surface to stop the rotation of the drum.

, Secured to the end 44 of the drum shaft 20 by means of a key 45 and a nut 46 is the hub 47 of the centrifugal drum 17 which may consist of several sections 48, 49,

i 50, and 51 which may be secured together by welded on flanges 52 and 53 and bolts 54. Thelower endof the drum, for example, on thesection 51,.has a conical projection which is turned inwardly to form a'trough 55, the inner diameter of which is preferably of the same size as the inner diameter'of the drum. The wall of the drum has numerous apertures 56 along its entire surface through which the moisture may be expelled by centrifugal force. In order to save the work and expense of burring these apertures and to prevent the thin fabric .of the parachute from being forced into them by the centrifugal action, theinner surface of the drum is covered with a perforated lining such as a copper lacework 57. V

For inserting the hoisting cable 19, the drum shaft 20 has a central bore 58 extending to the inside of the drum. In order to prevent the hoisting cable .19 from touching the rotating shaft 20 and from thus turning with the shaft, a protecting tube 59 may be provided which 7 is secured against rotation by the ball bearings 60 and 61. The lower end 62 of the hoisting cable.19 leads into an insert 63, the inner portion 64 of which is tightly secured to the cable end 62 and, in turn, fixedly mounted through the ball bearings 65 and 66 relative to the r0- automatically interlock with the notches 73 of the lower ring. The cover 79 is then layed on the part of the parachute which rests on the supporting tubes 75, whereupon the motor winch 16 is actuated to hoist the para- 7 cooperates, for example, by means of an end switch with tating' outer part 67. Suitably secured, for example,

.welded, to the outer'part 67 is an upper ring 68 carrying stops 69 which'may rest against cooperating stops 70 secured to an insert 71 which is mounted on the drum hub 47. The upper ring 68 also carries pivotally' thereonseveral hooks or forks 72 which may. engage in notches 73 in the lower ring 74. This ring has radially and downwardly extending therefrom several,'for example, six, supporting tubes or spokes 75' terminating into an annular tube 76 which has an outer diameter of a size slightly less than the inner diameter of the drum.

For centering the tubes or spokes 75, an inner ring 77 may be welded thereto. A cover 79 provided with handles 78 may also be provided to lie on the supporting tubes 75 to hold a parachute thereon.

The inner part 64 of the insert 63 also carries a conical piece 80, the conical surface of which, when'the which rests loosely on the work table 22 so that it projccts through the central opening of the parachute. The lower ends of the parachute as well as the harness, suspension cords, and the like are placed into the trough 23 of the table. Thereupon the electric control mechanism of themotor winch 3.6 is actuated to lower the hoisting cable19and the upper ring 63 thereon until. the hooks "72., which are pivot-ably mounted on the upper ring can r and the. parachute 83 lying thereon.

an electric control mechanism to disconnect the motor winch 16 and simultaneously free the main motor 14'for operation. The harness, suspension cords, and the like 84 are then placed into the trough 55 .to prevent them from damaging the fabric of the parachute during spinning and then the main motor 14 is started. Its power is transmitted by V- belts 43 to the pulley 12, to rotate the drum shaft 20, the drum 17 together with the upper ring 68, the lower ring 74, which is connected thereto,

Since the hoisting cable19 is secured by the ball bearings 60, 61, 65, and 66 relative to the rotating parts, it does not participate in the rotation and can therefore always remain connected to the suspension mechanism..

Fig. 1 also indicates that in order to supplement the drying action of the centrifugal machine, a fan or blower 85 mayalso be provided to blow cold or heated air from below into the parachute as it clings on the inner wall of the spinning drum. Such fan or blower may be mounted within the work table 22 .below the-upper surface thereof which in such case may be of skeleton structure or provided with'apertures to allow thecurrent to pass therethrough. In such a case, the trough 55 may be provided with a large series of perforations to permit the air current to pass into the trough to subject the harness, suspension cords and the like .84 to a quick drying action. The air current then passes into the parachute proper, emerges from the central hole thereof, then passes through suitable apertures in the cover or head of the drum either to the outer atmosphere or through suitable conduits within the r tower back downwardly, and either directly or through a suitable heater to the suction side of the fan or blower from where it is recirculated through the machine. Such supplementary drying of the parachute by means of a fan or blower 85 during and, if necessary, for a certain length of time after spinning the same in the centrifugal drum, will dry the parachute completely so that it can then be removed from the suspension mechanism and repacked for reuse. v

For facilitating the operation of the centrifugal machine and for suitably controlling the drying process, the machine may also be provided with an electric control mechanism 86 and signal device which may render the entire operation semi-automatic. It may automatically hoist the parachute, start the main motor, automatically cut on the motor after spinning has continued for a certain The present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment as described and shown in the accompanying drawings,.and various modifications maybe made therein without departing from the scope er the invention as determined by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes comprising a framework, a hollow cylinder suspended in up-. right position within the framework, said cylinder having a plurality of apertures in the sidewall thereof, a perforated lining arranged along the inner side wall of said cylinder, means for mounting a parachute at its upper end, means for hoisting said mounting means with the parachute thereon into said cylinder so as to be suspended therein in upright position, and means for rotating said cylinder and the parachute therein so as to expel the moisture therefrom through said lining and said apertures.

2. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes comprising a framework, a hollow cylinder suspended in upright position within the framework and having a large series of apertures therein, a lining of closely woven but permeable material on the inner surface of said cylinder, means for mounting a parachute at its upper end, means for hoisting said mounting means with the parachute thereon into said hollow cylinder so as to be suspended therein in upright position and for lowering it therefrom, and means for rotating said cylinder and parachute therein so as to expel the moisture therefrom through said lining and the apertures in the cylinder.

3. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 2, further comprising means on said cylinder for holding the harness, suspension cords, and the like so as to protect the sensitive fabric of the parachute from contact therewith.

4. A centrifugal machine for drying parachute as claimed in claim 2, further comprising troughlike means at the lower end of said cylinder for holding the parachute harness, suspension cords, and the like therein and out of contact with the sensitive fabric of the parachute, said lining consisting of relatively closely woven copper lace overlying the apertures in the said cylinder.

5. A centrifugal ,machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 2, further comprising means for blowing an air current into the parachute.

6. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for rotating the cylinder and parachute comprise a shaft on said cylinder, and an electric motor connected to said shaft for driving the same.

7. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 6, in which said shaft has a central bore, a cable passing through said hollow shaft and central bore and secured to said suspension means, and means for moving said cable so as to hoist the parachute into said cylinder and for lowering it therefrom.

8. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes comprising a hollow upright cylinder having a plurality of apertures in the side wall thereof; suspending means for suspending a parachute in said cylinder; means for hoisting said suspending means together with a parachute suspended thereby into said cylinder and for lowering said suspending means and parachute therefrom; bearing means at the upper end of said cylinder for rotatably supporting the same; and means for rotating said cylinder and parachute so as to expel moisture therefrom.

9. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 8, in which the cylinder has a shaft with a central bore therein, a cable passing through said bore and secured to said suspending means, and means mounted above said cylinder shaft for moving said cable so as to hoist the parachute into said cylinder and to lower it therefrom.

10. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 9, further comprising means for preventing said cable from turning when said cylinder is rotated.

11. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 9, further comprising cooperating means at the lower end of said cylinder shaft and at said suspending means for automatically centering said suspending means and the parachute thereon relative to said shaft when the parachute is hoisted into said cylinder.

12. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 8, in which the cylinder has a shaft with a central bore therein, a tube Within said bore, bearing means mounted between said bore and said tube to prevent rotation of said tube, a cable passing through said tube and secured to said suspending means, bearing means mounted between said suspending means and the lower end of said cable to prevent rotation of said lower end, and means for moving said cable so as to hoist the parachute into said cylinder and to lower it therefrom.

13. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 12, further comprising cooperating conical means at the lower end of said cylinder shaft and at said bearing means at the lower end of said cable for automatically centering said suspending means and the parachute thereon relative to said shaft when the parachute is hoisted into said cylinder, and resilient means for cushioning said conical means.

14. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes comprising a framework, a hollow upright cylinder suspended within said framework and having a large series of apertures therein, means for suspending a parachute at its upper end within said cylinder, means for mounting the parachute on the suspending means including a raised support near the bottom of the framework below said cylinder and adapted to hold said suspending means and to permit inverting the parachute over said suspending means, means for hoisting the suspending means with the parachute thereon from said support into said cylinder so as to be suspended therein in upright position and for lowering it therefrom upon said support, and means for rotating said cylinder and parachute therein so as to expel the moisture therefrom through said apertures.

15. A centrifugal machine for drying parachutes as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a fan, said support having at least one aperture in its upper surface, said fan mounted below said upper surface so as to blow an air current upwardly into the parachute.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 353,390 Weston Nov. 30, 1886 1,003,827 Tolhurst Sept. 19, 1911 1,687,829 Clark Oct. 16, 1928 1,799,649 Schenck Apr. 7, 1931 2,104,456 Friedman Jan. 4, 1938 2,348,631 Keehnel May 9, 1944 2,463,842 Woods Mar. 8, 1949 

